Glossary of Terms

A-STEP: Accredited Sleep Technologist Education Program www.aasmnet.org/astep

American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM): a professional society that is dedicated exclusively to the medical subspecialty of sleep medicine. The AASM sets standards and promotes excellence in health care, education and research.

Board of Registered Polysomnographic Technologists (BRPT): The Board of Registered Polysomnographic Technologists (BRPT) is an independent, non-profit certification board that oversees a program of competency based testing for sleep technicians and technologists.

RPSGT : A registered polysomnographic technologist who has become credentialed by the Board of Registered Polysomnographic Technologists.

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Sleep Technologist Links

How to Become a Registered Polysomnographic Technologist (RPSGT)

Are you confused by the various career pathways for sleep technologists? If so, read the Sleep Tech Studentfollowing for a clear, concise review of the 3 experience pathways.

If you are a newcomer to the medical field and do not have previous medical experience, you are eligible for Pathway #4. The requirements to complete this pathway and become a Registered Polysomnographic Technologist are:

  1. A high school diploma or equivalent is required.
  2. Must attend an 80-hour A-STEP Introductory Course, such as the Essentials of Sleep Technology course offered by The Atlanta School of Sleep Medicine (A-STEP- Part 1).
  3. Must work for 9 months as a paid sleep tech trainee.
  4. Must pass the online A-STEP exam from the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM). The Atlanta School of Sleep Medicine pays the examination fee for those who attend the Essentials of Sleep Technology course, if taken within 30 days of the live course completion.
  5. Must complete the 6 pillars of the Atlanta School's Online Foundation of Sleep Technology or 14 online Self-Study Modules through the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (A-STEP - Part 2) or a BRPT approved equivalent.
  6. After 9 months of work in a sleep lab, you are eligible to take the national registry exam from the Board of Registered Polysomnographic Technologists (BRPT) and earn the RPSGT credential. You can take the Online Technologist Registry Review course to prepare for this test.

If you are a novice sleep technician and are already working in a sleep lab, you are eligible for Pathway #1 which can be reduced to 9-Months by following the steps above.  To complete Pathway #1, you must complete these steps:

  1. Must complete the 6 pillars of the Atlanta School's Online Foundation of Sleep Technology or 14 online Self-Study Modules through the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (A-STEP - Part 2) or a BRPT approved equivalent.
  2.  After 18 months of working in a sleep lab, you are eligible to take the national registry exam from the Board of Registered Polysomnographic Technologists (BRPT) and earn the RPSGT credential. You can take the Online Technologist Registry Review course to prepare for this test.

If you are a credentialed healthcare professional with any of the following: RRT, CRT, RN LPN, R.EEG.T, R.EPT, CNIM, PA, Ph.D, MD, DO, DC, EMT-P, DDS, RT, RT®, RT(CT), RT (BD), RT (N), CNMT, CCT, DrPH, RDCS, RCIS, Au.D., AT, you are eligible for pathway #2 to become an RPSGT:

  1. Complete 6 months of work in a sleep lab.
  2. After 6 months of work in a sleep lab, you are eligible to take the national registry exam from the Board of Registered Polysomnographic Technologists (BRPT) and earn the RPSGT credential. Employment must be a minimum of 21 hrs/wk within 3 years of taking the exam. You can take the Online Technologist Registry Review course to prepare for this test.

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